Folding table and hinge therefor



March 25, 1941. J. FOLLMER FOLDING TABLE AND HINGE THEREFOR` Filed Oct. 9, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 /n Ven z or: Josep/2 Fo//m ef" 5/ @MEQ/M4 Mmh z5, w41. L FOLLMER v2,226,400

FOLDING TABLE AND HINGE THEREFOR lFiled Oct. 9, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A ,lr i

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/nVemar-- Josep/2 Fo//mer Y Patented Mar. 25, 1941 UNITED v STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim This invention relates to improvements in folding tables and hinges therefor.

In United States Patent No. 1,742,904, granted to me on January 7, 1930, a folding table is shown and claimed which is constructed in a manner very analogous to thev table that forms the subject of the present invention which relates to certain improvements in the patented construction.

It is the object of this invention to produce a folding table of the type indicated in which the space between the bottom of the table top and the top of ythe supporting frame shall be uniform around, instead of, as in the patented construction, in which the two side members have their upper edges in different levels.

Another object of this invention is to produce a table in which the top ris so constructed that it can be rotated about a pivot so as to change from a longitudinal position with respect to the supporting frame, to a transverse position Iand in which the top is made from two p-arts hingedly connected.

Another object is to form a table top in such a way that when the two parts are in folded position the upper part will project beyond the edges of the lower part on all four sides so as -to improve the appearance of the table and to facilitate opening the same. 1

A still further object of this invention is to produce a hingeof such cormtruction and so combined with the two parts of the folding top that they -will be automatically positioned in systematical relation whenever they are folded into super-posed position.

Having thus briefly described the objects f the invention, the structure will now bedescribed in detail, and for this purpose reference will be had to the accompanying drawings in which the invention has been illustrated in its preferred form, and in which:

Figure 1 is atopplan view of the improved table, portions of the table top being broken away to better disclose the construction;

Figure 2 is a section taken on line 2-2, Figure 1, and shows' the table top in folded position;

Figure 3 is a section taken on line 3--3, Figure 1, and shows the pivotal connection between the table top and the supporting frame;

Figure 4 iS a fragmentary sectiony showing a cross section of one of the end members of the supporting frame and showingthe construction of the felt cushion to a somewhat enlarged scale;

Figure 5 is a section taken on line 5 5, Figure 1, and shows a latch employed for holding the table top in either of its two positions;

Figure 6 is an end `viewof the upper portion of the table;

Figure7 is a top plan View of a portion of the table top adjacent one of its hinges, showing the two parts of the table top in unfolded position;

Figure 8 is a section taken on line 8 8, Figure '7, and shows the table top in unfolded position;

Figure 9 is a sectionV taken along the same line as Figure 8 and shows the two portions of the table top in folded or superposed position;

Figure 10- is a bottom plan view of the hinge showing the same detached from the table top;

Figure l1 is a bottom plan view similar to that shown in Figure 10 and shows a slightly modied form of hinge; and A Figure 12 is a section showing the hinge illustrated in Fig. 11, folded; the section being taken on a plane whose position is indicated by line I2-I2 Fig. 11. v

The frame that supports the foldable top is provided with four legs II in the manner come mon to most tables and these legs form the corners of an elongated rectangle. Side members I2 connect the two legs on one side and end members I3 connect kthe pair of legs at each seen that the upper edge of member I4 projects above the upper edge of member I34 and the projecting edge of member I4 serves as a support for part I5 of the table top, which is pivotally connected with the frame by means which will be presently described. Y The side members I2 are connected by two spaced transverse members I6 and I1. A board I8, extends from the end member I3 at the left in Figure 2 to the transverse member land forms the bottom of a compart- Vment which becomes uncovered when the table top is turned about its pivot, as will presently appear. Instead of the strip I4 a corresponding wooden strip Illa is attached to the end member I3 by screws or other suitable means and its lower edge rests on the bottom board I3. A narrow strip I9 is secured to the wooden strip Illia adjacent its top and supported on the upper edges of strips Maand I9L are a plurality of layers of felt 20. The outer layer of felt is positionedA between the strip Illa and the end member I3 and passes over the felt strips 20, thence downwardly andV underneath the strip I9 and has its body secured to the under surface of the latter by means of tacks 2l. The purpose of the felt strip is to serve as a nonabrading support for the polished surface of the table top part 22, which is hingedly connected to the part I5. By means of the construction just described, it is quite easy to adjust the width of strip |40, to get the upper edge at the proper height because the lower edge of strip I 4a, which is supported on the member I1 and to a greater distance to the left. At a point which serves as a pivot for a table.

top member I5, strip 23 is provided with an opening for the reception of the pivot pin 25.

Pin 25 has an enlarged head 26 and passes through an opening in a securing plate 21 that is attached to table top member by means of screws in the manner shown.

An arcuate wooden guide 28 is attached to the transverse member I'I and this is concentric with the pivot 25. The corner posts and the side and end members are secured in assembled relation in the usual manner and are connected by means of metal brackets 29 that receive the clamping bolt 30 in the manner shown in Figure 1. It will be noted that the upper edges of the side member I2 are straight and that the space between upper edges of side and end members I3 and the bottom of table top member I4 is the same at all points around the table.

It will be noted from Figures 1 and 2 that the table top member I5 projects equal distances beyond the ends and sides of the supporting frame and that the superposed table top 22 projects beyond the member I5 so as toprovide a ledge 31 that overhangs the lower table top member. The ledge serves two purposes: in the rst place it improves the appearance of the table when in folded position, and in the second place, it facilitates unfolding the table `top because the ledge makes it possible to grasp the table top without the necessity of separating the two as must be done if the two parts of Athe table top are of exactly the same size. The pivot 25 is so positioned with respect to the frame and to the table top that when the table top is in folded position and turned so as to project lengthwise of the supporting frame as shown in Figure 1, the table top will be systematically positioned with respect to the supporting frame. When the table top shown in Figure 1 is rotated about its pivot in a counterclockwise direction, and through an angle of ninety degrees, the parts are brought into such a position that when the upper part is unfolded, it will rest on the felt cushion 20 and the two parts of the table top will then form a top of twice the area of the one shown in Figure 1. The width of the table will then correspond to the length shown in Figure 1 and the length will be equal to twice the width.

Since the operation of the table is fully described in the patent above identified, it will not be described in this specification to any greater extent that is necessary to explain the improvements to which this invention relates.

In order to limit the rotary movement of the table top, the inner surface of member I5 is provided with a block 3l which is secured thereto by glue and/or screws, or in any other suitable manner. This block is so positioned that when the table top is folded and positioned as in Figure 1, `it will contact with the strip 23 and it isalso provided with a lip 32 that extends underneath the part 23. When the table is moved to unfolded position, block 3I will engage the inner surface of the side member I2 at the top of Figure 1 and in this way the rotation of the table top will be limited to ninety degrees.

A block 3Ia is attached to the under surface of the table and functions as a stop to limit the rotation of the table top in a clockwise direction when viewed as in Fig. 1. Another block which has been4 designated by reference numeral 33 is secured to the inner surface of table top I5 and is provided with a lip 32a corresponding to lip 32 on block 3I. Block 33 is so positioned that it moves in close proximity to the inner surface of member 28 and the lip 32a projects underneath the latter, thereby resisting an upward movement of the table top. The guide strip or track 28 has a notch 34 that permits the lip 32a of block 33 to pass when the block is positioned at such a point that the lip 32a is exposed through this notch. The purpose of this is to facilitate the removal of the table top and its application to the supporting frame as it is only necessary then to remove the wing nut 35 and the lock nut 36 from the pivot 25, whereupon the table top can be detached from the frame by an upward movement.

A bolt 31' is secured to the side member I2 and slidably mounted in clips 38', all as shown in Figure 5. The purpose of this bolt is to latch the table top in either one of its two positions, as the under surface of table top I5 is provided with two holes properly positioned to receive the upper end of the bolt. The inner surface of table top member I 5 has attached thereto a block 39 that engages the upper surface of the guide or track 28 and slides along the latter. A washer separates the plate 21 from the upper surface of strip 23 at the pivot as shown in Figure 3.

The thickness of the block 39 of the washer and n the height of end member I4 above the top of the frame are so proportioned that the bottom table top member will always rest on these three points so as to be securely held against rocking. The construction of the hinge and its relation to the two parts of the table top will now be described in detail and reference for this purpose will be had to Figures 7, 8, 9 and 10. In Figure 9 the two parts of the table are shown in folded position and the hinge is shown in its proper relation with respect to two parts I5 and 22.

In order to facilitate the description, the construction of the hinge will now be described. The hinge consists of two members 40 that are substantial duplicates and differ from each other y merely in one particular to which attention will be directed. The parts 40 are provided at their ends with notches 4I and the portions on opposite sides of the notches are rolled as indicated by numeral 42 for the reception of pivot pins 43. It will be observed that the two parts 40 of the hinge do not overlap each other as in the usual construction and .that two hinge pins are employed. The two parts 40 are interconnected by means of a link which has been designated in its entirety by reference numeral 44. This link is of awidth corresponding to the width of the notches and has spaced openings for the reception of the pivot pins 43, as clearly shown in Figures 8 and 9. One end of link 44 is provided with a projection that overlaps the adjacent portion of the hinge member 40 when the parts are in the position shown in Figure 8. The projection 45 is downwardly offset a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the hinged members so that when the hinge is in extended or open position, a line joining the centers of the pivots 43 will be parallel with the hinge members 4D shown to the right in Figure 8.

The other end of link 44 is also provided with a projection that is similar to projection 45 and which has been designated by reference numeral 46. It will be observed that the projection 46 is of somewhat different shape than the corresponding projection 45 and that it has a flat surface 4l that is inclined with respect to a line joining the centers of the pivots instead of being parallel thereto as is the case with projection 45. Link 44 is provided on both sides with grooves 48 whose function will be hereinafter explained.

It will be observed that the hinge member 45 that is connected with the movable table top portion 22 has a beveled surface 49 that is engaged by the corresponding surface of projection 46 when the table top is in unfolded or extended position, in which position the parts of the hinge are as shown in Figure 8. It will be obvious from Figure 8 that the hinge will only fold in one direction and when the table top is unfolded, the movable part 22 will resist downward movement, even if it is unsupported. Due to the heavy strains that would be imposed if the table top 22 was not properly supported the parts are so constructed that when the table is extended member 22 will rest on the felt pad in the manner shown in Figure 4.

Since one of. the important features of this invention resides in the construction by means of which the upper part of the table top will project over the under part on all four sides, it is irnportant that the hinge shall be of such construction that it will automatically position the two p'arts of the,table top as desired whenever they are brought from extended to folded position and the operation of the hinge for this purpose will now be described.

It will be observed that the table top member i is provided with a recess or countersunk portion 59 within which the projection 45 is movable, The lower wall of the countersunk portion has been designated by reference numeral 5| and is so positioned that it will stop the rotation of link 44 when it reaches the position shown in Figure 9, in which position the center of the upper pivot pin projects beyond the center of the lower pivot pin to an extent corresponding with the overlapping of the two parts of the table top. The table top member 22 is also provided with a countersink, which has been designated by reference` numeral 52 and the function of this countersink is merely to provide space for the projecting portion 45. The downwardly extending wall 53 is merely for the purpose of concealing the projection 46 and is at no time subjected to any strains. In order to permit the parts to function in the manner shown, the upper surface of the link must be provided with a depression 48 into which the sharp bevelled edge of the hinge member can project as shown in Figure 9. The corresponding depression 48 on the under side of the link is merely to conform to the outline of the edges of the folded table top so as to make the hinge as inconspicuous as possible. l

Let us now assume that the two parts of the table top are connected by a hinge of the construction described and shown and that they are in folded position, as shown in Figure 9. After the table top has been rotated to an angle of ninety degrees, the operator grasps the under edge of member 22 and turns it about the hinges until the parts assume the position shown in Figure 8. When the table top is to be folded, the operator raises the part 2 2, whereupon the link rotates about the lower pin 43 until the projection 45 engages the wall 5I, after which the rotation will all take place about the upper pivot pin. By providing a stop 5I, the link is held in inclined position which assures that the upper portion of the table top will project beyond the lower portion to the extent desired. 'I'his hinge constructed as described also permits folding and unfolding of the table top without any rubbing between the wooden surfaces, which assures that the polish'or finish of the table top will not be marred during operation. l

Since the top member 22, when in open position is supported only by the felt cushion 20 and the hinge it is evident that the edge adjacent the hinges would drop if the links were not held from downward movement by projection 45. Any tendency to raise the hinged edge of part 22 is resisted by the lug 46 engaging the inclined surface of the corresponding hinge member 40.

Attention is directed to Figure 9 which shows how the beveled edge of the hinge member 40 projects into the groove 48 when the parts are in folded position. Unless the links have grooves 48 the members 40 cannot turn about their pivots more than ninety degrees unless an excessively large space is provided between the bottoms of the notches and the outer surface of the links which is objectionable.

It is evident that to obtain applicants result the links must not be permitted to rotate ninety degrees about the pivot that is connected with the smaller top member. In the form shown in Figures 8 and 9 the extent of rotation is limited by wall 5l which serves as a stop. Other and equivalent stops may be provided and formed integral with the metal parts of the hinge and one example of this has been illustrated in Figures 11 and 12. In this construction the hinge plate 4t that is connected with the smaller tabletop member is provided with a notch that provides a shoulder 5Ia and the link is so constructed that the flange 45 extends into the notch in position to engage the shoulder 5la. to limit the rotation of the link in the manner shown in Figures 12 and 9.

It is evident that walls or stops 5l and Sla, are mechanical equivalents and that either form can be employed. In a folding table the arrangement shown in Figure 9 can be employed. In some cases it is preferable to provide the stop 5 la on the hinge itself. Since stops 5I, Ela are not required to resist any considerable strains but serve merely to limit the rotation of the link to less than ninety degrees from the position shown in Figure 8, they need not be designed so as to resist powerful forces and therefore stops constructed in a different manner can be substituted for those shown which are illustrative only.

Having described the invention what is claimed as new is:

A hinge comprising two hinge plates, each having a notch and two rolled hinge elements separated thereby, the inner end of one hinge element having a notch, one end wall of which forms a stop, a link connecting the two plates, the ends of the link having portions extending underneath the plates and cooperating with the plates to limit rotation in one direction, the link having a projection extending into the notch in the hinge element and engageable with one end wall thereof to limit rotary movement in one direction, the two limiting means preventing a relative rotary movement of more than ninety degrees.

JOSEPH FOLLMER, 

